Saturday, December 8, 2012

10 Interesting Facts about Candles


You'll find festive, fragrant, hand-crafted, home-made candles for every purpose and occasion at Hidden Treasures. Candles are so beloved all over the world. Ever wonder why? Check out these historical aspects of candles.

(1) For thousands of years, up to the 1900s, candles were the primary source of light in darkness.

(2) Candles have historically been used to symbolize spiritual illumination, philosophical enlightenment, scientific education, and moral guidance.

(3) The earliest scented candles were from India and were composed of cinnamon.

(4) The most ancient candles are from China and Japan and were made of whale fat.

(5) Candles of the Roman Empire most closely resemble our modern candles and were made of tallow with wicks of hemp, flax, or cotton.

(6) The main competitor of the candle was the olive oil lamp, which, due to its prevalent use in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, caused those areas of the world to not develop candle-making.

(7) Graduated candles, or candle-clocks, due to a fairly consistent rate of burning, were used as a primitive form of measuring the passage of time, dividing the day into periods of activity.

(8) In the Middle Ages, candles were made of beeswax but were a luxury and restricted primarily to royalty and religious ceremonies.

(9) The first scented candles in the American colonies was bayberry, but it took a huge amount of bayberry leaves to produce a single candle.

(10) Candle-making began to decline when kerosene lamps and then the electric light bulb and flashlight  were invented, which caused candles to be used for decoration and fragrance more than light sources.

Yet, even today, with all our modern LED lights and energy-saving illumination devices, the humble candle  often makes its appearance during storms and other disasters, when the electrical power goes out.

NOW that you know a little of the history of candles, come on by Hidden Treasures and see the new candles available. They make wonderful Christmas gifts.



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